Farmers encouraged to front foot it on environment

With land-based activities in the Waikato and Waipa rivers catchments due to face new targets and limits to protect water quality, farmers are being encouraged to be on the front foot over environment-related changes to their operations.

“Starting to think about and make changes on their properties now can help put farmers in the best possible position to operate under any new targets and limits that are introduced,” said Waikato Regional Council’s land management advisory services team leader Alan Campbell.

“We have established a three-strong team of sustainable agriculture advisors in the two catchments who can work with individual farmers on the best options for reducing the impact of their operations on water quality.”

The advisors are:

John Vosper, Waipa catchment, 021 838 249

Don Harford, northern half of Upper Waikato catchment, 021 816 162

Jon Palmer, southern half of Upper Waikato catchment, 021 224 9852

Mr Campbell said the team was committed to helping farmers with solutions to any relevant issues on their properties.

“We work with farmers, researchers and the wider agricultural industry to develop and implement practical solutions to ensure the long term sustainability of farming in the Waikato region.”

Mr Campbell’s comments come as the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai project is working with stakeholders to develop changes to the Waikato Regional Plan to help restore and protect the health of the Waikato and Waipa rivers.

The plan change will target sediment, bacteria and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) entering water bodies (including groundwater) in the two rivers’ catchments, an area of 1.1 million hectares.

Mr Campbell said there were many sources of advice on estimating and curtailing current nitrogen and phosphorus losses from farms to waterways, the best practices for effluent management and reducing sediment loss to waterways.

The council’s sustainable agriculture advisors work with fertiliser company reps, farm consultants, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, milk companies and DairyNZ to ensure that farmers can access consistent and reliable advice. Menus of practices to improve water quality are one example where all the agencies have combined to bring together the latest information on good management practices, and these are available on line or in hard copy form.

“For our part, our three-strong team is also a helpful resource, particularly on how farmers can comply with regulatory requirements, as well as protecting the environment and boosting profitability,” Mr Campbell said.